Embedded Key Server Module for Selective Screenshot Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional digital rights management methods are insufficient in providing fine-grained access control to digital materials, often causing issues in distinguishing between legitimate and illegitimate users, and are vulnerable to circumvention and unauthorized content capture.
Innovation Solution
An embedded key server module within a computer application encrypts media content segments using a media encryption key and initialization vector, allowing local decryption on the user device without remote communication, and selectively encrypts user interface elements to prevent screenshot capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional DRM methods with restrictive licensing agreements are used, then access control to digital materials is provided, but fine-grained restriction of access cannot be achieved and legitimate users may be incorrectly restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the DRM system into distinct functional modules: a key server module that manages encryption keys, a media player module that plays protected content, and a screenshot prevention module that intercepts capture attempts. This segmentation allows each module to perform its specific function with high reliability while the overall system provides fine-grained control over different aspects of content protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a key server as an intermediary between the content provider and the user device. This key server acts as a mediator that verifies user credentials and provides decryption keys only to authorized users, enabling fine-grained access control without directly restricting legitimate users. The screenshot prevention module also acts as an intermediary that intercepts and blocks capture attempts before they can capture protected content.
2Reliability
If remote key server communication is used for decryption, then secure content delivery is achieved, but license acquisition time and communication bandwidth are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the key server provide decryption keys to the user device before the actual content playback begins. The key server verifies user credentials and provides the necessary decryption keys in advance, so that when content playback is initiated, decryption can occur immediately without additional network communication delays. This preliminary key provision reduces license acquisition time while maintaining secure content delivery.
3Reliability
If traditional encryption methods are used, then content protection is provided, but unauthorized screenshot capture and content sharing can still occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by implementing a screenshot prevention module that proactively intercepts and blocks screenshot capture attempts before they can capture the protected content. This module monitors for capture attempts and prevents them at the software level, providing an additional layer of protection beyond traditional encryption. This preliminary prevention action addresses the harmful factor of unauthorized content capture before it can occur.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus for prevention of electronic content capture using an embedded key server module are described. A user device sends a request to a computer for media content segments. The user device receives a manifest file and the media content segments from the computer. The media content segments are encrypted using a media encryption key and initialization vector. The user device detects that the media content segments are encrypted, and generates a key request for decryption of the media content segments. A key server module embedded within a computer application creates a key response including the media encryption key and initialization vector. The user device decrypts the media content segments using the media encryption key and initialization vector in the key response. The user device generates a display of the media content segments on a screen of the user device.